Float actuated mechanism



May 22, 1945; G. F. BRoczKE'r'r FLOAT ACTUATED MECHANISM Filed .July 12, 194:5

Patented May 22, 1945 UNITED'STATES PA'IEIW` OFFICE o j FLoA'r ACTUATED MEcHANlsM i Glenn F.,Brockett, Marshalltown, I`owaassig'nor` to Fisher: Governor Company, Marshalltown,

Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Application July 12, 1943, Serial No. 494,341

o o t claims.

This invention relates to a mechanism to be actuated by means of`a float,`either as a specific gravity or a liquid level responsive device, and is adapted to actuatea control or pilot mechanism as circumstances may require. A- general object of the invention is to `provide `a vfloat actuated mechanism of the torque tube'type which is extremely simple 'and economical of construction and at `the Sametime accurate and dependable in operation.

lThere are many situations in which floats are employed Within vessels to actuate lcontrol" de'- vices or `pilot mechanisms at the exteriors of such vessels. The transmission of motion from a float within a vessel to a mechanism at the exterior thereof presents certain problems, particularly Where the vessel carries materials that must be coniined or where high pressures are involved. To transmit such motion by means of a shaft passing through packing or through a stuflingbox is generally unsatisfactory, as it involves exces- `sive friction and does not remain constant.

` 'An effective and dependable means of transmitting motion through the wall of a vessel without the use of stuiiing boxes, or the like, is by means of what is known as a, torque tube construction. This construction involves, generally, a thin- Walled tube having one end in communication,

with an opening in the Wall of the vessel and xed thereto, and the other end connected to the float within the vessel. A rod connects to the'latter endof the tube andprojects through the'tube at the exterior of the vessel where it operates a pilot mechanism, or the like. Various arrangements of such torque tube devices are shown in the patent to Roschanek,` No. 1,173,038.

In practice, under ordinary circumstances, the torque tube to have the desirable torque characteristic must be relatively light, or thin-walled, and asa result is generally not .very strong. `For effective action the tube must be of considerable length, and as a result, it has been found necessary in practice to provide a bearing or support for the inner or float-carrying end of the tube. Suche. bearing or support is shown in the patent to Binckley, No. 1,827,560. Y

It is an object of my present invention to provide a compact, simplified construction whereby the float-carrying end of a torque tube is effectively and dependably supported. By the present invention I provide a support for the torque tube which effectively holds it in place with a. minimuml of friction and which involves an extremely `simple and inexpensive arrangement of parts.

By the present invention I have eliminated the necessityof complicated precision machine opera.- tions and at the same time have provided a tube support which accurately maintains the tube in perfect alignmentat all times. o

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction wherein there` isa torque tube unit l that can be manufactured entirely separate and apart from the other portions of the mechanism and then be readily applied thereto with amini-` mum of eifort. The torque tube unit of the present invention has a headiat its outer end which y Through ,the `provision of" a frame or single rigid` structure the. various parts `of `the mechanism are dependably supported imperfect alignment. The frame issuch that the critical working parts are accurately and dependably related t@ one `another so that the mechanism operates freely and without danger of misalignment or misplacement ofthe parts such as wouldotherwise create friction or improper operation. i

A furtherlobject of the present invention is t0 provide various novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which make for a simple,l dependable and durable mechanism of the general character mentioned.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of l the invention, throughout the acat the outerend portion of the structure showing in detail `the manner in which the head of the torque tube unit is clamped in position and xed against rotation and showing also the manner in which the pilot mechanism is supported by means ofthe frame provided by my invention. Fig'. 3 is torque tube unit,` and Fg.`4 is an end View of the part shown in Fig. 3, being a View taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3.

The mechanism provided by my present invention is applicable, generally, to structures or vessels V designed to carry a float F and wherein it is desired to communicate the action of theV float F to a pilot mechanism M, or the like, at the eX- terior of the vessel. In Fig. l of the drawing I have shovvn a horizontal section through a vertif 'cal Wall of a 'vessel V taken at a pointu/'here the structure of the present invention is applied thereto, and I have shown a simplied, compact arrangement of parts wherein the oat F operates` directly on the torque tube unit through 'a float lever I0 while the pilot mechanism M is operated directly by the operating rod oflthe torque tube unit.

The structure provided by invention includes, generally, a mounting bracket I I ,fixed to the Wall of the vessel V to project laterally therefrem, @frame l2. including portions 2.6 and 2l and d '1: bracket lI I; a torque fatemi "3.; 'fp c ampi'ng'tnlmrquetubeunittojtne o that it i'srrigiciiy' supported thereby,

frameIZ,

an @pagina Ifor Sel te alla? :t0 bracket I 'may fixe integral Pa-#Qi the vessel'.y v'In the par cular case ustrated the' brke'dll ha? a'base. fla gel .t the exterior 0l? the,

Vidd all?? fd 'theftbular extension '21! with l Olliillelldi thebracket I I, a, tubulanextensionfl onthebody 2.6proiectingthrougn the-bracket I I- y -and into the veSselLI-.Vsvslhere` it.A supportstheA tubular exten integral' with. thelbody 26,. although in praatie thi walled tubing and to join it with the body proper through a suitable joint construction. In the case illustrated a tubular extension 35 is provided on the body 26 and the tube 21 is fitted over the extension and is secured in place by welding 36. The tubular extension 2'I of the frame is supported by the body 26 so that it extends through the opening 31 of the bracket I I with substantial clearancefand projects 1suitabledistance into the vessel V so that the 'oat F is supported with suitable clearance Within the vessel V.

The socket 30 is formed in the body 2B from its outerend and so that it is concentric with the tubular extension 21. The inner end of the socket is nished'togpresent a shoulder 39 for receiving the head bij4 the torque tube unit. The socket 30 is screw-threaded to receive theclamp means I4.

Theeigterior o ,fr` the body is turned at 3l concentric with the socket 30 and the tubular extension 21 to `form a support for the pilot mechanism M. In the particular constructicn illustrated aboss lll formed on the belly 4I' Qf the mechanism Wh' 1l bees is bored out at 4.2 t9 dablyntfover. the @Q part 3| asclearly Fiera; of u?? !awmgf. i

The @Ollblwtiln -Just described. forms.Y vthe l lbrwbigb the pilot mechanismlvl is sup pote the frame an alignednositior1 In lrW-a Slet Sprew 43ieprefgrably carriedby the boss 40 to be tightened against the Qfythe frame te Setthe mechanism Mm medesima :creativepQSitQrlnthe bedr 2 6 ofthe structure,

The. tcrqlle til unit I3 c cmpletely detach* ablefflomlleether Parts:otthemeclianismyand mandes, eenerallrl a t9m11e--tube5l1-whichg isla .Walled tube 0l G Qnsiderablel era lrlaroll arranged qnncentncallv withinthe tube `5 B;a r,1d l ing' the tube; with substantial- Qlearana all ,i 5.21: xed; Q rr-thgguter; end o ff thtllbe 5919s. roundthatube amato-:serve hea sfweldecl Qr- Qtberwise nrmanentf.

,I te prolgt.` radially thereramf and: presenta a snc, llto.. cocneratewith; the. shoulder; 13,9.: inthe b9-#tempi the socket 31u-. 7Inbracstce it; u

preferred tc insert a; gasket- Si aSf-aseal-between '"r blctf ne nermanentlr tortue,

anflftlleioper ting r9 Slialllsewisgnaeat. the, block. 53 lso 1t proJects, concentrieally thro "Thflamnmans, Melamine fennel; a plus;

'the sack 3.11 t9 eneae beru 1i by a wrench, or the like, 'Spth' torque tube; unit can be .,tightly elarrrpedf` in the Themse Ierided-,forferev ntinerctau ot thetor -etube in he dy 26, yvlbe" eni' Qatar! end 0l the. torque tuba rn erfendtof. thatamueftubel v p I3 hebetwmptfthaseck eli-19.. inthe aeeillustrateathe cutanea@ Q f the tionof the headpf` thetorque tube unit in the socket and thus definitely orients the torque tube unit as to its rotative position in theframe., y

i. The bear-ingl means` I6 serves to support the innerend of the torque tube from the tubular extension 21 of the frame I2. In accordance with the preferred forni` ofthe invention a bracket 18 is fixed toV the inner end of the tubular extension 2`1 and carries a bearing `member 1 I. `The bearing i The arm 15 ts over the block 53 with substani tial clearance; so that it does not interfere` with normal rocking `or pivotal movement of the block incidental ,to operation of the mechanism.

The lever arm Ill which carries the float F through the connection 80 is detachably secured tothe block 53 4of thetorque tube unit. The connection is made through a clamp device 82 which is threaded on the end of the `lever IIJ. The clamp device has `a pair of arms 83 which overhang the block 53 atieither side of the arm 15 and fingers 84 depend from the ends of the arms 83 to hold the block 53. The end portion of the float lever I threads through the clamp device 82 so that its end portion 86 clamps against the block holding the block against the fingers 84, as clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing. A lock nut 81 is provided on the threaded portion of the lever I0 to be clamped against the clamp device 82 to set the mechanism in the proper position.

Through the mechanism just described motion of the float F is communicated to the block 53 of the torque tube unit through the lever I0 and the clamp device 82. The block 53 of the torque tube unit is allowed to rotate about the axis of y l M to terminate within the pilot mechanism. In

practice the operating rod I of the torque tube unit may receive a sleeve or other part 95 of the pilot mechanism to operate the same. The operating rod may pass freely through the opening 4I so it engages and actuates the mechanism of the pilot mechanism M without support or, if desired, a suitable bearing, such as a ball bearing 96, may be provided at the opening 90 to support the rod 5I at the mechanism M.

From the foregoing description it Will be apparent that I have provided a very simple, inexpensive, mechanism whereby the parts are all dependably supported in proper alignment so that the mechanism is simple, compact and dependable in operation. The bearing means IB provides a free, dependable bearing for the inner end of the torque tube unit and the mechanism of the clamp device 82 allows the iioat lever IIJ to be readily applied to the inner end of the torque tube unit so that the motion of the float is communicated to the block of the torque tube unit.

The outer end of the torque tube unit is effectively and dependably secured in place in the frame through the head 52 of the torque tube unit and the clamp means I4, the means I5 serving to positively orient the torque tube unit in the frame.

The turned parti3I on the frame body 26 and the bored outboss 48 on the mechanism M serve to accurately align the mechanism M with the other parts so ,that the` operating rod 5I of the torque tube unitworks the mechanism of the pilot mechanism M withoutbinding. It is to be understood that any desired control or mechanism may be provided in the pilot mechanism M to be operated by the rod 5I.V i

It is to be noted in particular that the mechanism of the present invention is all` simple of construction and is such as to be conveniently assembled or taken apart for purpose of replacee ment or repair.` The parts are all `readily accessible and can be handled without special tools or equipment. ,i

Having described only a typical preferred` form and application of myinvention, I do not `wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may :appear to a bracket on a vessel, a frame attached to the bracket and including a body having a socket, a tubular extension coaxial with the socket and extending into the vessel, a finished part on the Ybody coaxial with the extension and a bearing carried by the extension within the vessel, a torque tube unit carried in the extension and having a head fixedly held in the socket and a bearing block pivotally supported by the bearing,

a mechanism to be operated by the unit and engaging the finished part of the body to be Wholly i supported thereby, and a iloat in the vessel to operate the unit.

2. In a mechanism of the character described,

. a bracket on a vessel, a frame attached to the bracket and including a body having a socket, a tubular extension coaxial with the socket and extendingV into the vessel, a nished part on the body coaxial with the extension and a bearing carried by the extension within the vessel, a torque tube unit carried in the extension and. having a head i'lxedly held in the socket and a bearing block supported by the bearing, a mechanism to be operated by the unit and engaging the nished part of the body to be supported thereby, the mechanism having a bored part fitting the iin` ished part of the body to be supported thereby, the mechanism being connected with the unit to be operated thereby, and a float in the vessel connected with the unit to operate it.

3. In a mechanism of the character described, a frame rigidly connected with a vessel and including a bodtr .having a socket in its outer end, having a turned part concentric with the socket, having a tubular extension coaxial with the socket and extending into the vessel and having a bear-` and a 'float in the'vessel operativelyl connected withthe block.

-4. In ame'chanism of the character described, a Aframe rigidly connected with a vessel and including af'body having'a' socket in tits-outer end, having a turned -part concentric 'witlfifthe4 socket, having antubular extension coaxial with the socket and extending into the vessel anclhavinga bearing at the innerl end of the extension, Vaftorclue tube unit carried inthe lentensionanizlhaving a tube'with a headat its outer endilxedlycarried inthe socket "and a, block at'itsinner endlsupported byV the bearing and having a rod connected with the block and projecting freely through the tube to project from the'outer end of the frame, a mechanism mounted kon the turned `part of the bodi and receiving theprojecting end of the rod, the-mechanism having a cored boss which ts'over theturned part ofthe body, and a float in the vessel operatively connected with the block.

5. In a, mechanism of the character-described, a frame `rigidly connected with a vessel and including a body having a socket in its `outer'end, having a turned part concentric with'the socket, having a tubular extension coaxial with the-socket and ,extending into the vessel and having; a bearing atthe inner end of the extension, a torque tube unit, carried in the extension and having a tube with ahead at its outer end xedly carried inthe socketfand -a'blockfat its inner yend supported bythe bearngand having a; rod'conneeted with the block and projecting 'freely through 'the tubev'toproject from the outerend ofthev virame,

fa mechanism mounted onthe turned'partqof the body and receiving theprojecting end otherod, a float in the vessel, and `meansr connectingv the oat and block including a releasable ,--clanp carried bythe float and engagingthe block.

16. In a'mechanism of the'character'described, a :frame-rigidly'connected Witha vessel and eluding aibo'dy having a-socketfinits outer end. having-a turned partv concentric -with the socket, having a, tubular extension coaxial 'with J'the socketI and extending into the vessel lvand having a bearing at the inner `end of the lextension, 'a torque tube unitcarriedfin the--extension having a tube 'with a head at its outer endxe'dly carried in the socket anda block at its inner end supported by the bearing -andhaving va rodconnected with the block and projecting freely through thetube to* project 'from the outer :end'o'f the frame-a m'echanism'mounted'on theturned part offthe body'and receiving the'projectingend ofthe rod, a oat'inithe vessel, and means r"conf meeting 'the oat and block including a `lever connectedwith'the float, and aclamp engaging the'block, the lever being;threaded'to'theclamp to tightenfthe clampon the block. 

